Research Project for my Graphic Design Class

Researching the Industry of Design Melissa Alvey

LET'S EXPLORE TOGETHER

Three Design Industry Careers

Graphic Designer

Marketing Manager

Design Business Owner

Interviewing an Industry Expert

Nancy Schwartz & Company

Reflective Statement on Industry Research

There are many exciting and rewarding careers in the field of Design. Today we will take a closer look at three interesting careers, that of the Graphic Designer, the Marketing Manager and Design Business Owner . Of particular interest to me, a student of Graphic Design, is that of the Design Business Owner. So, let's get started...

The Graphic Designer Working as a Graphic Designer requires a range of skills, including the ability to organize, analyze and develop material that meets the visual communication needs of the client. A good designer will need to have an thorough understanding of design elements and techniques, as well as, intrinsic knowledge of design software. Although many statistical reports state that employers require the Graphic Designer have a Bachelor Degree, this is not always the case. My experience is that this job can be a great entry-level job, as long as the applicant has some experience working with the required software and a sense of design elements. I was able to get my first two design jobs without any formal education, just an innate creativity and the ability to present myself ans a worthwhile investment of the employers time. I find this type of work fun and rewarding. I enjoy the process of beginning with a thought, communicating it to the client and working it through into an effective design. It is rewarding to be to be using my creative skills in a was that helps others. I also really love the Adobe Creative Suite software, I feel like there is so much to learn and every time I open one of the programs, I am embarking on a new adventure!.

There is good money in the field as well. The amount of money that you earn is directly related to how you do your work, for example, as a paid employee or as a free-lancing contractor. In my region, the South Atlantic, earnings are just above the national average. Lets look at some of those numbers... The Graphic Designer

The Marketing Manager Choosing a career as a Marketing Manager can often be the first step in climbing the ladder of success. This position often offers better chances for career advancement. The main skills needed are related to the management of people, resources and time. It is necessary that the manager have excellent communications skills in order to navigate through those sticky situations and everyday communications with employees, clients and customers. The recommended level of education is usually Bachelor or Master's Degree, but with experience, an Associates will suffice. Knowledge of the industry software is very important as the manager will need to understand the limitations and abilities of the designers and be able to communicate that to the client, as will having a firm understanding of the local demographics and market trends. I chose to research this particular field because I was offered a temporary position as a Marketing and Sales Consultant for a local printing company. The job is being offered as an attempt to help the company boost sales, due to a revenue decline, as a result of the local economy. Although I will be making no where near the South Atlantic entry-level average of $50K, I am excited at the opportunity to learn more about the field of design and promotion, and am eager to assist a local business that has been operating for over 50 years.

Design Business Owner The job description of a design Business Owner is one that each owner would have to write themselves. This is the career choice that most interests me. I would choose to operate as a designer and owner, with the intention of creating a team of professionals that collaborate for the success of the organization. It is my dream to have print and web designers, market specialists, networking geniuses and sales consultants, all coming together at a round table of management and opportunity. I want to work with a group of entrepreneurs that have similar values about personal development, global responsibility and an awakened consciousness about our impact on the earth, global society and one another. The mission of this organization will be to create marketing and advertising solutions for business that promote this way of living. I believe that attaining my Associate's degree will assist me in becoming a more well-rounded professional, but I do not think that any education level is necessary for this job.

Design Business Owner Being a business owner requires the highest level of motivation and the strongest belief in the purpose of the company. This belief will create dedication that will carry the owner through the financial hardships that will occur. Training on stress management and financial planning are a must, as is a knowledge of some basic law and business practice. This is why some college background is helpful, the more knowledge you have, the more effective your business can be. The biggest investment that any business owner has to make is that of TIME and MONEY. There are a lot of resources out there for small business owners. Below are some resources that I have found very informative: -The Small Business Administration(SBA) -The Free Management Library -The Entrepreneur -Inc. -All Business Locally, I have found some great resources as well. There is a local SBA and Georgia.org offers a wealth of useful information. This career choice is not an easy path to follow, but as a military spouse, it offers me the opportunity to create a national business that will travel with me wherever I move to. On average, I spend 6-8 months, unemployed, every time we move (every 2-3 years). This time is spent looking for someone else to work for and I am ready to begin investing that time into my own business, goals and vision.

Interviewing the experts is a fun and interactive way to learn more about the career field that you are interested in. A student can learn a lot about the many aspects of that career and get an insider's perspective into the daily demands. An additional benefit to interviewing the experts is that you get the opportunity to build relationship and begin networking.

About Nancy Schwartz

About Nancy Schwartz, as taken from http://www.nancyschwartz.com

Greetings! Nancy Schwartz & Company offers you a talented virtual team of communications planners, writers, designers, and Web developers. Led by marketing and communications expert Nancy Schwartz, our group is as varied as it is skilled, and the expertise of the team you work with will mirror the exact parameters of your project.

Based in the New York City Metropolitan area, we provide services nationwide to a wide range of corporate and nonprofit organizations. We've been consulting since 1995 and integrating Internet strategies into our work since the very beginning. We bring the following strengths to our clients:

Decades of collective expertise working with organizations including the Association of Small Foundations, Clearwater, the Ford Foundation, Elsevier Science Publishing, Lucent Technologies, National Urban League, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Experience as staff employees and as consultants, bringing insiders' expertise and outsiders' perspective to our work.

The Interview

What is the most rewarding part of your career? The best part is helping organizations solve problems. When they come to me I can help them to put together communications that work. I work with organizations that do not always have easy messages to convey, for example, it is easy to sell something like lipstick, but it is not as easy to raise awareness about diseases or having clean water.

Upon graduation, what advice would you have for a graphic art designer like myself? While you are still in school, spend time discovering what is out there. Develop relationships, do informal interviews, offer out pro-bono work and volunteer, to get a better sense of what you want to do.

Can you tell me about how your vision began and how it eventually came into manifestation? I did not set out to be an entrepreneur! It began when worked for a organization and did marketing. I fell in love with that and eventually bought them out. That is how I started my business and it has evolved from that from web strategy to integrated marketing. I am now hiring my first full-time employee. Being a small organization has made it easier for me because I am able to remain fluid with the changing market.

What inspires you or motivates you on challenging or difficult days? One thing that is my vision, the further I move toward that, the happier I am. If you keep moving toward that larger goal, you'll know where you are going.

How did you initially begin networking with other designers and like-minded individuals? Mostly through my work, by being on staff and naturally networking. I just love to talk to people!

The timing of this project really fit well with my current life situation. You see, I am a military spouse and I recently moved from Italy and a full-time job as a Graphic Art Designer. It was a difficult move, as all military moves are, because I love designing! It is now seven months later and I have not been able to acquire a new job. My only source of income has been a design job here and there for people I have talked into using my services. I have had to make presentations and use the art of persuasion to the maximum. It is not only trying, but stressful to try to begin a business from scratch, with little skills in business. I miss that guaranteed paycheck. I recently met a gentleman who owns a design and print company that has been here in Augusta for over 50 years. Through a couple of conversations and a review of my portfolio, I was able to work my way into a trial position, marketing his company to the local businesses. It was really helpful for me to take this opportunity and look more into the three occupations that I am interested in. I was also very intrigued about interviewing an expert in the field. Interestingly, I attempted to interview two Graphic Artists, but their schedules were too busy to grant me an interview. I managed to contact Nancy in the last minute! I love the fact that she is support agencies and organizations that are making a difference in the world. I really appreciated her advice about networking as well. There is a lot more to learn, and many more areas to explore. This assignment has only wet my taste buds and increased my excitement about the field of design!

Reflective Statement

Citations

Aquent Survey of Design Salaries 2009 . AIGA, THe Professional Association for Design.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition , Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos020.htm (visited June 20, 2009 ).

McNamara, Carter. Preparation for Planning a Business Venture . Adapted from the Field Guide to Nonprofit Program Design, Marketing and Evaluation. Free Management Library: Copyright 1997-2009, Authenticity Consulting, LLC at http://www.managementhelp.org/strt_org/prep.htm (visited on June 17, 2009).